Book Review:Heart’s Promise by Linda Hoover

Welcome back to Jacob and Julia’s Iowa farm.

In 1893, their son Justin is eleven. and daughter Annaliese is ten. When Jacob and Julia adopted Annaliese as an infant, they were told God had a special plan for her. As Annaliese grows up, she wonders if her purpose will be world-changing.

Julia’s old friend, Edward Harrington, comes to visit from England, along with his wife and son, Robbie. Their time at the farm is the beginning of a like/hate relationship and later something more between Robbie and Annaliese. When the families traveled to San Francisco in 1900, a shocking revelation from Edward’s wife could change everything, beginning with taking Annaliese to England.

If this is God’s plan, Annaliese is disappointed. It’s nothing like she imagined, and her heart’s desire is to go to veterinary college. This could mean a very different future for her.

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Linda Hoover is a critique partner and friend whom I admire. She writes about a historical period as if she had lived it herself and is at ease telling us about it. Since that’s not the case, I can attest she is a gifted writer. Heart’s Desire is a wonderful series, and Heart’s Promise is another gem.

Although this can be read as a standalone, I recommend you read the series. Many characters are present throughout, and you want to get to know each one as they evolve. This is definitely the case in Heart’s Promise.

Annaliese is growing up, and so is the world around her. Industry, big city life, the literal world is there for Annaliese to experience. She is intelligent and full of compassion, and these attributes seem to clash with a culture where men dominate.

Robbie has been part of Annaliese’s circle since childhood, and as he returns as a young man, he sees Annaliese as more than a friend. The problem is that her very outspoken thoughts and dreams have no place in his academic mind. I love how Linda created conflict between the two.

Heart’s Promise contains much more than a well-written Gilded Age romance. She continues to develop the original characters such as Julia, Facob, and Edward. There are plot twists throughout that push the story forward and give Annaliese a lot to consider when it comes to her future.

Although this can be read and enjoyed any time of year, what a beautiful summer release. I can imagine readers on a porch with lemonade drinking in all that Annaliese encounters in this moving story. Not only will you turn the pages to a satisfying ending, I believe you will have a new favorite author in Linda Hoover.

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